More than 100 hours of litter picking was carried out by community-minded volunteers in Steeple Morden and Odsey in 2017, and the event organisers are hoping for an even better result this year.

The first ‘60-minute makeover’ in Odsey saw 20 litter pickers, including South Cambs MP Heidi Allen, collect 16 bags of rubbish in just one hour.

This was followed by six further litter picks in the parish that covered the whole of Steeple Morden village – and the final event in November saw the volunteers return to Odsey for a second clean-up.

The objective of these sessions was to improve the environment of the Steeple Morden parish for all who live and visit the area, and was carried out under the Cambs County Council’s Community Highways Volunteering Scheme – which gives parish councils the opportunity to carry out works that would otherwise be a low priority for the county council.

Parish councillor Ginny Belson, who spearheaded the initiative, said: “None of this would have been possible without the support and dedication of a fantastic team of volunteers (some of whom participated in nearly every event) and for this, the parish council thanks you.

“We would also like to thank South Cambridgeshire District Council for their support by collecting all the rubbish collected and for the loan of litter pickers.

“The parish council is also grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for providing funding for other equipment including, bag hoops, signs and hi-vis jackets.”

Looking back at the year, 82 bags of rubbish were collected in total as well as other large items of rubbish. The 118 man hours of litter-picking was completed by volunteers – including 31 by children – at eight hour-long events.

In total, 30 cubs and scouts completed a 90-minute litter pick covering all the recreation/conservation areas collecting four bags of rubbish,

The most rubbish collected during one single session was by 19 volunteers, four of whom were children, who collected 17 bags along Cheyney Street, from Litlington Road and Brook End, including The Green.

Mrs Belson added: “The 2018 schedule will be published soon and hopefully more members of the community will get involved allowing a larger area of ground to be covered at each 60 minute makeover.”

If you would like more information or to register your interest email SMLitterpick@yahoo.com.